Thinking about replenishing your once luscious locks? Well boys and girls, listen up! Yes, boys too… even if you don’t have the thickest head of hair, these 3 vitamins offer plenty of other health benefits too. So here, I present to you the Top 3 Vitamins for Healthy Hair!

1. Vitamin B Complex:

After having done my research, I learned that Biotin (a water-soluble B vitamin), is key to maintaining healthy hair, skin, and nails. While biotin does not initiate hair growth (probably not useful for those gentlemen who are genetically balding), increasing intake should lead to a thicker, fuller head of hair. The only problem is, in some cases biotin can lead to mild acne and skin irritation. The Natural Factors Vitamin B Complex has pantothenic acid which counteracts and eliminates these side effects. Sufferers of symptoms of depression, migraines, PMS, mood swings, and feelings of stress and anxiety can also benefit from the B vitamins!

2. Vitamin A:

Vitamin A is another highly effective vitamin contributing to improved hair growth, strength, and damage repair. However, there is a dosage limit. If the vitamin is taken in excess, it can lead to a less desirable effect: hair loss. So the aim is to take approximately 25,000 IU daily, and that includes through dietary intake and supplementation. In addition to the hair-related benefits, vitamin A also improves night vision, scalp acne, and protects against free radicals because it is an antioxidant. And don’t worry too much about that dosage limit; it’s hard to exceed.

3. Vitamin E:

Another vitamin for hair I stumbled upon is vitamin E, and while I thought it only came in cream form, I found yet another pleasant surprise. It can be taken as an easy-swallow or adversely, it can be found in certain shampoos, conditioners, and other hair products. Vitamin E actively protects against ultra-violet radiation from sun exposure. The sun can be extremely detrimental to hair health, causing it to become dry, split, and brittle, so vitamin E can be very useful!

So no more complaining about that seasonal hair damage! No more protests against the sun and wind of summer, and the cold and dryness of winter. These three vitamins will surely help you get through the year with stronger, healthier, longer, and thicker hair. No complaints here!

CLA helps block fat cells in the body from filling up by interfering with the fat-storing enzyme, lipoprotein lipase as well as by increasing the sensitivity of cells to insulin. CLA is also believed to help burn fat by revving up muscle metabolism and increase lean muscle mass. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body uses, speeding up the fat burning process.

How much do I take?

For weight control, the suggested daily use is two 500 mg capsules, three times a day with milk or food or as directed by a physician. The proteins in milk or food will bind the fatty acids. People report that they start to see results in two to four weeks!

Paparazzi have been camped outside St. Mary’s hospital since July 1st, in anticipation of the biggest baby of the year (figuratively speaking). We will now be deluged with news about the the Royal Baby boy. Twitter is being deluged new #royalbaby providing a continuous stream of updates with everything from excited elation to tongue-in-cheek lion king references. Given the Royal family’s well-known use of natural methods such as homeopathy to support health, I thought it would good to write a post about babies and natural vitamin health!

Vitamins for mommy

Should you be worried about health before the baby? Two months ago, my wife gave birth to a beautiful girl. We were shocked at the sea of (sometimes conflicting) information out there about baby health. There’s a bewildering number of treatments, tests and screenings that you are encouraged to do before the baby is born. We had a midwife, so we kept it more or less natural, apart from a pre-natal vitamin. Pre-natal vitamins usually contain folic acid, beta-carotene and a variety of vitamins and minerals. After the baby arrives, B vitamins (particularly B6 and B12) are helpful for post-partum depression and vitamin D is useful through pregnancy for strong bones and teeth, while the baby is stealing your calcium to build its skeleton.

Most pre-natal vitamins contain all you need and to be honest, folic acid is the thing they all have in common. Go with a brand that you trust and you should be fine. Make sure you check the tablet size as morning sickness can make swallowing more challenging. If you can’t down the pill, just try to take Folic acid by itself or find a brand that has a small tablet size. I LOVE that Natural Factors is now showing the tablet size on their products.

What about vitamins for newborns?

With the exception of Vitamin D, most health care professionals don’t recommend vitamins for the baby if breastfeeding. Usually we get enough Vitamin D from the sun, but in modern society, we spend more time indoors and usually slather on sun screen when going outdoors, which blocks the sun’s UVB rays. Since very small amounts of Vitamin D are transferred in the breast milk, health care professionals recommend Vitamin D for babies who aren’t taking formula.

Pro tip: One of the easiest ways to give Vitamin D to the baby is a couple of Vitamin D Drops on the nipple right before you breastfeed.

We chose to use D drops because we live in a Northern latitude and try to keep the baby out of the sun. My wife has always avoided tanning, which is probably why she still has such nice skin, but also uses Vitamin D.

Do I need to use any other vitamins?

For the most part, no, you don’t need anything else. The only exceptions depend on the health of mommy. For example, if mom has had gastric bypass surgery or takes certain medications, she may not be absorbing nutrients well. If mom is on a vegan diet, make sure you let your health-care provider know. You may have to make an extra effort to eat foods rich in Vitamin B12, iron, zinc, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids. The more open about your health you are with your provider, the better start you can give your baby.

Although we’ll likely never really know what the new Royal baby’s diet will consist of, there’s one thing that the baby will have in common with all the babies around the world: milk. Mommy’s breast milk will give that baby pretty much everything it needs. Combine that with lots of love and hugs and kisses, and that baby will be getting the royal treatment it so deserves!

The Osteoporosis Society of Canada recommends the following intake of calcium and Vitamin D every day to maintain strong bones:

Age

Minimum Calcium Requirement

Vitamin D Requirement

4-8

800 mg

200 IUs

9-18

1300 mg

200 IUs

19-50

1000 mg

400 IUs

50+

1500 mg

800 IUs

Pregnant or
lactating women 18+

1000 mg

400 IUs

Be sure to get the recommended amount of calcium every day. Calcium supplements come in a variety of forms, dosages and combinations with Magnesium, Vitamin D and zinc. These are all awesome nutrients that can improve the absorption and efficacy of Calcium.

Wondering about vitamins? Ask us a question and we’ll research it for you!

Regular medical exams and tests can save your life. This handy infographic has a list of the risks and tests you should be be aware of from your 20s to your 70s and beyond! Check out “A Lifetime of Medical Checkups”!

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin necessary for energy production. It plays a key role in the nervous system and it helps with memory and learning. It can also help with depression.

Low levels of B12 may show little to no symptoms which could easily be missed. As it worsens, a B12 deficiency may causes symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nervousness, numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes.

Those most at risk of developing a B12 deficiency are people with intestinal tract diseases like celiac disease or Crohn’s. Also, people that may have had changes to their digestive tracts. This could result in an inability to absorb vitamins. Supplements are a good option to ensure you’re getting enough everyday!

There are so many options!

In an ideal world we’d all eat health nutritious food and never need to take a vitamin. But, hey. I live in the real world. It’s filled with trips to the gym, grocery store, walking the dog, visiting friends, working, and spending time with family. Sometimes your just content to grab a coffee and go. So taking vitamins and supplement help ensure you get essential nutrients all the time!

From Black Cohosh for menopause support, to Cranberry concentrate to prevent urinary tract infections Webber Naturals has the inside scoop on vitamins for women’s health!

Black Cohosh’s clinical value has been well documented by the prestigious German Commission E. Black Cohosh is an effective natural alternative to estrogen hormone replacement therapy (ERT) for most cases of menopausal discomfort.